County maps of trout streams and listing of stream names by county

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Introduction

Georgia's approximately 4,000 miles of trout streams are relatively unproductive when compared to streams found in other parts of the country. This is, in part, due to the calcium deficient soils found in north Georgia. Therefore, to meet the demands of over 100,000 trout anglers, stocking and special regulations are used on some streams to maintain acceptable catch rates. The Wildlife Resources Division and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service stock streams with rainbow, brown and brook trout from late March through August ( learn about DNR trout hatcheries). The number of trout stocked and the stocking frequency depend on a stream's fishing pressure, accessibility, and water conditions. In general, streams on public lands are stocked more often and with greater numbers of trout. Trout fishing opportunities vary and include heavily-stocked high-use streams (better for beginners), wilderness streams, streams with special regulations, and small impoundments. Some "special regulation" streams offer trophy or catch and release fishing opportunities (tips on releasing fish).

Trout need clean, cold water to survive and reproduce. Georgians can be good trout managers by using proper land use practices. Trees left along stream banks provide shade to keep water temperatures cold while their root systems help stabilize stream banks and prevent soil from washing into the stream and smothering trout eggs and aquatic insects.

Most trout streams are located on private property and the land owner controls access to, and fishing rights in, such streams. It is your responsibility to know when you cross a property line. Always get permission from the land owner before entering or fishing on private property.

Special Regulation Trout Streams

The following trout streams have special regulations. Click on the stream name to learn more before fishing:

County-By-County Stream Listings and Maps

Simply click on the county or stream name and a PDF map (indicated by ) will open that shows the following information: trout streams color coded for seasonal, year-round, and special regulations; roads; camping areas; public lands (shaded); and stocking locations (indicated by a red star). "Seasonal" streams are OPEN to fishing only during the trout season dates listed above (last Saturday in March to October 31 each year). "Year-round" streams are open to trout fishing all year.

A printed map that covers all the counties in Georgia with trout streams is available from the Fisheries Section. The map also includes a list of streams recommended by WRD for beginners and experts.

Definition of Watershed = a watershed is a stream and all its tributaries (streams flowing into that stream).

Seasonal: Harris Creek watershed; Johnson Creek watershed; Tails Creek watershed; and all other streams or parts of streams not listed as year-round except: Coosawattee River downstream from Old Georgia Highway 5 (Gilmer County Road 239); Talking Rock Creek; and tributaries to Carters Reservoir not listed as year-round (these streams may be fished year-round without a trout license).

Seasonal: Amy's Creek watershed upstream from Georgia Highway 17; Chattahoochee River tributaries downstream to Georgia Highway 255 (except Amy's Creek downstream from Georgia Highway 17 and Sautee Creek downstream from Georgia Highway 255 Alternate bridge); Left Fork Soque River upstream of Georgia Highway 356 and all tributaries to the entire Left Fork Soque River; Nancytown Creek watershed upstream from Nancytown Lake; Right Fork Soque River upstream of Wilson Falls and all tributaries to entire Right Fork Soque River; Soque River tributaries that enter the river from the confluence of the Left Fork Soque and the Right Fork Soque rivers downstream to the mouth of Deep Creek.

Seasonal: Jacks River watershed upstream from the Georgia-Tennessee state line; North Prong Sumac Creek watershed; Rock Creek watershed upstream from Murray County Road 4 (the most southern of the two Rock Creek watersheds that are in the Holly Creek watershed); Sugar Creek watershed upstream from Murray County Road 4; Sumac Creek watershed upstream from Coffey Lake.

Year-round: Conasauga River watershed upstream from the Georgia-Tennessee state line (except Jacks River watershed); Dill Creek watershed; Holly Creek watershed upstream from Dill Creek; Mill Creek watershed upstream from Murray County Road 27; Mill Creek (Hasslers Mill Creek) watershed that is in the Holly Creek watershed; Rock Creek watershed (the most northern of the two Rock Creek watersheds that are within the Holly Creek watershed) upstream from Murray County Road 301.